The time is winding down for these lovely little birds to be in our area...soon they will move on to a colder climate to continue their hunting...I could not miss one more opportunity to post and I've saved this one for last...wink,wink...

He is the cutest and he was the bravest...coming down off his perch to sit on the ground in front of me...I think in their time here they got very used to all of us gawkers looking at them and sometimes they were very accommodating.. He sat here quite awhile, not moving his claws at all, just turning his very flexible neck constantly...It was raining, I was under a tree and we looked at each other, me, every few seconds clicking the shutter...the owl, every few seconds swiveling around..looking for his lunch..

I've been fortunate over the years to capture a lot of wildlife...nature is where I'm most comfortable with my gear. In all these many years, I've been treated to some very lovely gifts from my forest friends..but I must say, these owls have captured my heart like no other bird. They are beautiful and cute. They are patient and fast. They wait and they watch. They teach me to do the same. You can not rush them. They are in charge. So we wait..in the cold, rain, and if we are lucky, in the sunshine. I have yet to get one in flight but that will be my goal for next year. Just by being with them and seeing them was accomplishment enough for this year...I am on the bonus plan with these little guys...because beyond finding them..I was able to get some very nice shots..so, I for one, will leave them in peace for this year.

I am thankful always for the privilege of living in an area that affords me so much land to poke around in, and in this tiny space surrounding me, I have been blessed to see such natural beauty and amazing critters. So although I will not be shooting the owls anymore this year..I will be back in the marsh, along the seacoast next year...in the meantime, I'll be practicing my bird panning...Thank you my Owl friends, your eyes are amazing..they are your light and now they are mine..

the Wisdom of the Owl

an owl is the one true symbol of all the wisdom of the world. God gave him big penetrating yellow eyes to see us and he will by ( ) his ( ) task he will now watch over mankind forever oh feathered bird stand your ground we seek your wise sight given to you by God, as you sleep by day and watch in the night for mankind is rife with it's fault loses grace with each sin that is wrought thats why you were made you were born to fly,given the wisdom that shines in your eyes, and closed by day gaining rest for the night needed for manuevering with your flight. of all of the animals that God ever created a creature of the night you are situated on an old oak tree branch of a limb for you are like a sentinel to him. a wise one to boot so let us all hear you hoot !

Reader Comments (5)

I'm in love with your precious owl.Perhaps next year I'll drive up to visit!Would be a dream come true . . . to be with you for my first one-on-one witha beautiful snowy owl! Thanks so much for sharing.

I adore the Snowy Owl. We have had the greatest irruption in decades here in Ohio...nearly 200 different owls. They are majestic to see live. Their feathers remind me of a half gallon box of chocolate chip ice cream.